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That's the word Florida basketball coach Billy Donovan uses when he talks about what he wants to see out of the Gators next season.

With 10 days to reflect on the 2012-13 season, Donovan strongly hinted at the issues brought up in the media during Florida's 29-8 season. The Gators won the Southeastern Conference regular-season title outright and reached the Elite Eight for the third consecutive season. However, the team appeared to lack a killer instinct at times.

Donovan largely defended his team through the season, but was his most candid about the subject during Wednesday's meeting with the media to wrap up the season.

"We need to be more relentless, be tougher," Donovan said. "We need to be more mentally stronger. A mental will. We have to be better there. When adversity hits, when those things hit, we've got to be tougher. We have to get more competitive. Nastier. We have to have more of that internal drive and will in those moments."

UF was 0-6 in games decided by six-or-fewer points. The Gators failed to score in the final 7:28 against a mediocre Kentucky team, allowing a 57-50 lead to turn into a 61-57 loss at Rupp Arena in the regular-season finale.

Florida also blew a six-point lead in the final minute in a 65-64 loss at Arizona on Dec. 15 and failed to hold a 13-point lead at Missouri with under 11 minutes to play, losing 63-60 on Feb. 19.

"I still look at those moments and those situations where do our guys really have a relentless and persistent drive and will to win in those moments," Donovan said.

Florida's three departing senior starters – guards Kenny Boynton and Mike Rosario, along with forward Erik Murphy – were skilled, but seemed to lack the fire of some of Florida's top players before them in the Donovan era.

The three closed their careers with a 79-59 loss to Michigan in the Elite Eight. The Wolverines jumped out to a 13-0 lead and the Gators showed little fight in trying to get back into the game.

"The disappointing part to me in the game was and what I would reflect on is why did we not play as well as we needed to play in such a big moment," Donovan said. "That's something that I would try to figure out of what was the reason why and I'm not so sure there is any reason."

Florida will have the front court to be nasty next season. Starting center Patric Young, a Jacksonville native, is returning. Proven forwards Will Yeguete and Casey Prather are also back. All three players will be seniors.

The Gators also add two transfers in 6-foot-10 center Damontre Harris and 6-8 forward Dorian Finney-Smith. The two players were with the Gators last season, but could not play after transferring from South Carolina and Virginia Tech, respectively. Harris was second in the SEC in blocks two seasons ago, while Finney-Smith averaged seven rebounds a game as a freshman with the Hokies.

UF also signed a blue-chip forward in Chris Walker, who is a consensus top-10 prospect nationally.

Donovan did say he is excited about Florida's front court for the coming season.

Yeguete could have to undergo further knee surgery in the offseason. He missed six games of his junior season after needing arthroscopic knee surgery on Feb. 8. Yeguete was able to play in UF's final 10 games.

"I think definitely for him surgery would be on the table," Donovan said. "I don't think anybody felt like the surgery was going to be this long-term solution. So, there are probably going to be some decisions to make going forward."

Yeguete has roughly seven months to recover fully before the start of next season.